Intermediate · B1 / B2 · Work

Asking for Help at Work

Your goal: ask for help at the right moment, in the right way, and show you've tried before asking.

Survival Phrases

Before you ask

I've checked the wiki but couldn't find this.
I tried resetting it, but it still won't connect.
I've had a go — could you point me in the right direction?

Asking clearly

Could you spare five minutes? I'm stuck on the permissions.
Where would you start with this?
Am I missing something obvious here?

Showing progress

I got as far as step 4, then it throws an error.
I've ruled out the network — could you check the logs?

Thanking & following up

That unblocked me — thanks, I owe you one.
I'll document this so the next person doesn't hit the same wall.

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud twice — once for each speaker. Notice how B picks up A's words and adds something.

Marina: Ravi, got a sec? I'm stuck on the permissions thing — I've checked the wiki but it's not helping.

Ravi: Sure. What've you tried so far?

Marina: I reset it and checked the roles, but it still throws an error on step 4.

Ravi: Ah, that one. It's usually the group policy. Let me show you where to look.

Marina: Oh — I'd never have found that. Can I screenshot this so I remember?

Ravi: Better — add it to the wiki once you're done, so the next person doesn't hit it.

Marina: Good shout. I'll document it after. Thanks, Ravi — that unblocked me.

Ravi: No worries. Ping me if it kicks back.

Register: formal vs informal

Situation	More formal	More informal / natural
Asking for time	Would you have five minutes when you get a chance?	Got a sec?
Showing effort	I've had a go, but I can't quite get it to work.	I tried but it's not playing ball.
Asking for direction	Could you point me in the right direction?	Any idea where I'd start?
Closing the loop	That unblocked me — thank you.	Sorted, cheers!

At B1/B2 the line between formal and informal is often tone and softeners (just, a bit, possibly), not different words. Soften requests when the stakes are higher.

Typical Mistakes (B1/B2 & Portuguese interference)

I have a doubt. → I'm stuck / I have a question. ((doubt ≠ pergunta))
Can you help me to do this? → Could you help me with this? ((help + with, sem to))
I tried but it didn't work good. → I tried, but it didn't work properly. ((properly, não good))
I will explain you the problem. → I'll explain the problem to you. ((explain + to))
I need that you check this. → I need you to check this. / Could you check this? ((need + someone + to))
I am blocked. → I'm stuck / I'm blocked on this. ((blocked on something))

Culture Note

Asking well = showing you tried first. 'I checked the wiki, then…' makes people want to help; 'It's broken' makes them sigh.
Documenting the fix is a small gesture that builds a reputation — people remember who writes things down.
In many teams, chat > email for quick help; reserve email for anything that needs a trail.
Saying 'I owe you one' is light, friendly currency — used sparingly it's warm, overused it sounds transactional.

Practical Task

Rebuild the dialogue for a real blocker you've faced.
Record your part, showing effort before asking.
Write a wiki note documenting the fix in 4 lines.
Real-life mission: find a real help/article page and note how it phrases 'before you ask'.

Before you finish, can you…

☐ask for help showing you've tried first?
☐describe where you got stuck?
☐ask for direction, not a full answer?
☐close the loop and document the fix?

Bring your dialogue — the teacher plays a colleague who's busy and gives short answers.